Speed-indicating alarm.



No. 767,734. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904;. E. S. CAHILL 6L W. E. LANDGRAP.

SPEED INDIGATING ALARM.

APPLUATION FILED MAY 1, 1903.

NO MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

FRANK S. CAHILL AND IVILLIAM F. LANDGRAF, OF IVASHINGTON, DIS- TRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO N. CARROLL DOIN/INS, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SPEED-INDICATING ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,734, dated August 16, 1904.

'Application ned may 1, 190s.' serai No. 155,168. ua model.)

To al?, whom,A it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK S. CAHILL and l/VILLIAM F. LANDGRAF, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Indicating Alarms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in speedindicating alarms of that type designed to be operated by centrifugal force in the rotation of the` wheel,

so that when a vehicle, such as a motor-vehicle or bicycle, attains a velocity exceeding that to which the device is set it will automatically sound an alarm or cause a light to be displayed.

In many places the law fixes a maximum rate of speedsay, for instance, twelve miles an hour; and the object of this invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and easily-applied device, yet one which will be positive and reliable in its action and by the employment of which an alarm will be automatically sounded when the speed exceeds that for which the device is set.

The device comprises in its broadest sense an inclosing casing within which is movably supported a spring-held sliding weight or its equivalent, having means for its adjustment whereby the device may be set for any desired speed, and a contact-point carried by said sliding member and adapted to engage another contact-point held within the inclosing casing, suitable connections being made with a bell or electric light or other signal, either audible or visual, so that when the sliding member vis thrown out by the accelerated speed of the vehicle and the movable contactv brought into engagement with the other con-v tact-point the alarm will be sounded or the The inclosing casing may be fixed in any suitable manner to one of the spokes of the wheel, and electrical connections are or may be made as may be found most expedient, employingeither the battery upon the motor-vehicle o1' one provided for that purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention in its preferred form is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, wit-h the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a substantially central section through the vehicle-wheel, showing the improvement applied` the batteries and alarm and connections being` shown diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective detail of a portion of the axle, showing the band upon the same and the connections between such band and the spoke. Fig. 3 is a substantially central longitudinal section through the inclosing casing and its inclosed parts with portions in elevation and showing' also the conneetion of one of the wires with the bindingpost of the fixed contact, the view being on a much larger scale than Fig. l.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, ldesignates the front axle, and 2 the wheel, of a vehicle-for instance, a motor-vehicle-of knownA construction, except as hereinafter specified.

3 is the truss or brace, and L the spindle. The spokes 5 may be of any well-known type, and it is to one of these spokes that the attachment is to be applied.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, 6 designates a tubular easing, which may be of any suitable material, diameter, and length, within one end of which is an insulating-plug 7, through which extends the member 8, in this instance shown as a screw the inner end 9 of which constitutes a compact point within the casing. This screw extends beyond the plug and carries a thumb-nut l0, the same serving as a binding-post, to which is connected one end 11 of a. wire. 12 is amember or weight mounted to move freely within the casing 6 and at its outer end carrying a contact-point 13. The other end of this member or weight 12 is provided with a lug or the like 14, havl will sound the alarm.

ing an opening 15 for the attaching of one end of a spring 16. This spring is located within the casing 6, and its other end is connected in any suitable manner in an opening 17 of an eyebolt 18, which is adjustable through a plug 19 in tlie adjacent end of the casing, being preferably screw-threaded therein, so as to permit of its ready removal when access to the interior of the casing is desired. Outside of the plug 19 the eyebolt 18 is provided with adjusting and jam nuts 20 and 21, as shown, whereby the tension of the spring 16 may be adjusted as may be desired.

In practice the casing 16 is applied to one of the spokes 5 in any suitable manner-as, for instance, by clamps 22 embracing the casing and detachably affixed to the spoke, as seen in Fig. l-the said casing being' arranged with the insulating-plug7 outermost or nearest the rim of the wheel. The other end of the wire 11 is then connected to a bindingpost 23, which is carried by a block 24, mounted on the insulating-block 25, which is secured by a clamp 26 or analogous means to the spoke 5, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The block 24 carries the curved arm 27, of copper or any suitable material, which is designed to revolve in contact with the outer face of a band 28, having ears 29 or analogous means by which it is clamped about an insulatingring 30, surrounding the periphery of the fiange 31 on the axle 1. The screw or other means 32, connecting the ears 29 and serving vto clamp the band 28 tightly in position,

serves as a means of connection of one end of the wire 33, the opposite end 34 of which connects with a battery or batteries 35, which are in circuit with a bell or other suitable signal 36, as shown in the diagrammatic view in Fig. 1. From the bell 36 leads a wire 37, which is adapted to be connected with the frame, so .as to complete the circuit.

In lieu of the bell 36 we may employ any other suitable form of alarm, or, if preferred, for use at night, an electric light, or in some instances we may include in the circuit both an audible and visual alarm-signal.

With the parts constructed and arranged.

substantially as above described the operation will be readily understood. rIhe tension of the spring 16 is regulated so that when the speed of the vehicle exceeds twelve miles an hour the centrifugal force will be such as to throw the member 12 voutward sufficiently to cause the contact-point 18 thereofl to engage the contact-point 9, and thus complete the circuit and sound the alarm. Approximately one hundred and fifty-two revolutions of a twenty-eight-inch wheel a minute gives a speed of twelve miles an hour. Then the wheel revolves so as to make a greater number of revolutions per minute, the speed will exceed twelve miles an hour, and if the device is set for such speed any excess thereof Adjustment of the tension of the spring permits us to set the device for any desired rate of speed, as will be readily understood.

The adoption of our invention will not only serve as a means of indicating to the occupant of the vehicle when he is exceeding' the predetermined rate of speed, but it will also serve as a means of designating whether or not the vehicle is exceeding the lawful rate of speed, for if properly set the predetermined speed can not be exceeded without audible or visual signal of such fact.

Other forms of electrical connections may be employed and other means for completing the circuit may be devised, and also we may vary the form of clamp or means for attaching the parts of the device to the spoke.

It will be seen that the contact-points, the movable member 12, and the spring 16 and its connecting means are all inclosed within the casing 6, where they are protected from the weather and dust and dirt.

From the above it will be evident that we have devised a simple, cheap, efficient, and positive means for accomplishing the end in view, and while the structural embodiment of our invention as herein disclosed is what we at present consider preferable it is evident that the same is subject to changes, variations, and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. IVe therefore do not wish to be restricted to the details of construction herein disclosed, but reserve the right to make such changes, variations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

I/Vhat is claimed as new is- 1. In a speed-indicating alarm, a casing, a contact-point within said casing, a member loosely confined and movable within the casing and carrying a coperating contact-point, and means for tensioning the movable member and for adjusting such tension.

2. In a speed-indicating alarm, a casing, an insulating-plug in` one end thereof, a contactpoint held in said plug and disposed within the casing' and a member movable within the casing and carrying a contact-point adapted to be brought into engagement with the firstmentioned contact-point by centrifugal force of the part to which said casing is attached, and a spring within said casing attached to the movable member-and means for regulating the throw of the said movable member within its casing.

IOO

IIO

8. In a speed-indicating alarm, a casing, an

spring within said casing attached to the movable member, and means connected with said spring and extending through the adjacent end of the casing and carrying means for adjusting the tension of` the spring.

4. In a speed-indicating alarm, a casing, an insulating-plug in one end thereof, a contactpoint within the casing supported by said plug, and having electrical connection, a member freely movable within said casing between said plug and the opposite end of said casing and carrying a contact-point, a spring within the casing connected to said movable member, means connected with the spring and extended outside the casing, and means thereon for adjusting the tension of the spring.

5. In a speed-indicating alarm, the combination of` avehicle-wheel and the axle, of fixed and movable contact-points on the wheel, a casing inclosing both of' said contact-points, means extending within the casing f'or adjustment ofl the movable contact in accordance with the desired rate ofl speed, electrical connections between one ofl said contact-points and a signal, and return connections as and f'or the purpose specified.

6. Ina speed-indicating alarm, the combination with a wheel, an axle, an insulated band on the axle, a casing on one of the spokes of the wheel and inclosing a fixed contact and a relatively movable contact, means on the spoke connected with the fixed contact, and bearing against said band and means extending within said casing and provided with adjusting devices f'or varying the limit of" movement of the movable contact in accordance with the rate of speed desired.

7. In a speed-indicating alarm, the combination with a wheel, an axle, an insulated band on the axle, a casing on one of the spokes of' the wheel and inclosing a fixed contact and a relatively movable contact, means on the spoke connected with the fixed contact, and bearing against said band, an electric signal in circuit with said parts and means supported from said casing for regulating the throw of the movable contact in accordance with the desired rate of speed.

8. In a speed-indicating alarm, the combination of a wheel, its axle, an insulated band on the axle, a casing secured to one of the spokes and inclosing a contact-point, a member movable within said casing and carrying a contact-point, an adjustable spring within the casing connected with said movable member, an insulated block secured to said spoke, electrical connections between the fixed contact and said block, and an arm carried by said block and movable in contact with said band.

9. In a speed-indicating alarm, the combination of a wheel, its axle, an insulated band on the axle, a casing secured to one ofl the spokes and inclosing a contact-point, a member movable within said casing and carrying a contact-point, an adjustable spring within the casing connected with said movable member, an insulated block secured to said spoke, electrical connections between the fixed contact and said block, an arm carried by said block and movable in contact with said band, and electrical connections between said band, anl a source ofl electrical energy, and a signa Signed by us at Washington, District of' Columbia, this 29th day of' April, 1903.

FRANK S. CAHILL. vWILLIAM F. LANDGRAF.

Witnesses:

JAMES S. GRANT, EDWD. S. WEscoT'r. 

